Olympus OM 50mm f/3.5 Zuiko Auto-Macro Lens Review

The Olympus 50mm f/3.5 OM-System Zuiko Auto-Macro lens is a well built lens. Having the aperture located at the front of the lens makes it easy to adjust when adapted to a mirrorless camera.

When I was checking prices on the Olympus 50mm macro in November 2018, there were many lenses available and prices were low.

Due to the large amount of supply, you should have no problem finding a great deal with a little shopping around.

Make sure to factor in the cost of the extension tube if is it not included with the lens.

Outside the Shot is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase. I also participate in affiliate advertising programs with KEH and Adorama. More can be found on the Affiliate Discolsure page.

See current price and more information on:

Amazon eBay KEH

Front Lens Element of Macro Lens
Front Lens Element of Macro Lens

Olympus designed the 50mm macro to be a small, compact lens. They succeeded as it is the smallest vintage macro lens. It does only go to 1:2 magnification, but even with an extension tube, it is still small compared to other macro lenses.

One notable difference with this, and many Olympus lenses, is that the aperture ring is at the front of the lens. Seeing what the aperture is set to is easier than lenses with the aperture ring placed at the rear of the lens.

Though, the aperture ring on the Olympus is more difficult to use with the lens reversed.

The build quality is excellent. For a lens that is around 40 years old, it has held up well. My copy has a light and smooth focus ring, which is a rarity among vintage macro lenses.

Almost every vintage macro lens I have tested has issues with their focus rings due to grease in their helicoids drying out.

Focus Distance, Aperture Ring, and Distance Scale
Focus Distance, Aperture Ring, and Distance Scale
Rear Element of the Olympus OM Lens Mount
Rear Element of the Olympus OM Lens Mount

Testing was done with the lens adapted to a Sony A7. The lightweight, 202g (7.1oz) without lens caps, balanced well on the A7. Adding the 25mm extension tube increases the weight by 68g (2.4oz), but the camera is still balanced well.

There are no half stops on the aperture ring. The clicks from changing the aperture are the loudest I have heard from a lens.

Having the aperture on the front of the lens made it easy to see. I found it comfortable to change the aperture. With the extension tube, I was not able to support the bottom of the camera with my palm while focusing or changing the aperture.

Focusing was nice and smooth with 330 degrees of travel from infinity to 1:2 magnification. No signs of problems with the helicoid grease, which was a relief. The majority of vintage macro lenses I come across have stiff focus rings.

The front element is recessed into the lens and does not move forward during close focusing. A lens hood or protection for the front element should not be needed.

  • f/3.5 - The center is fairly sharp. There is falloff leading to the corners, which are not sharp.
  • f/5.6 - Close to being as sharp as f/8 in the center. Less pronounced falloff moving towards the corners. The corners are still a bit soft.
  • f/8 - The sharpest aperture. Corners look great.
  • f/11 - A slight loss in sharpness due to diffraction.
  • f/16 - Even more loss of sharpness from diffraction.
  • f/22 - The test image is likely the last time I’ll ever use this aperture.
Sample Image Corner Crop f/3.5
100% Corner Crop at f/3.5
Test Image Corner Crop at f/8
100% Corner Crop at f/8
Center Crop 1:2 Magnification f/8
100% Crop, 1:2 Magnification at f/8

In order to be able to change the aperture on the lens, the auto aperture lever on the lens needed to be held closed.

The easiest and cheapest way to do this is with a lens adapted. An adapter will also double as a lens hood and provide protection for the rear element.

The narrow width and smaller diameter than the focus ring made the aperture ring difficult to reach when reversed. Other than test shots, there should be almost no reason to constantly be fiddling with the aperture ring.

The lens is sharper at f/5.6 than most vintage macro lenses, and is great at f/8. Only the Komine made Vivitar 55mm f/2.8 macro lens has a clear advantage in sharpness.

As a lens that will be adapted to a mirrorless camera, the compact size of the Olympus lens is attractive. The lens plus adapter is not longer than a standard zoom or fast prime.

Weight causing stress on the camera mount is also not an issue. The aperture ring at the front of the lens is also easy to see and use while supporting the camera in a shooting position.

For $40 or under the Olympus 50mm f/3.5 macro is a great lens. Versions of the Komine 55mm f/2.8 lenses will cost around twice as much as the Olympus, are larger, and heavier.

For a lens to walk around with, I would rather have the Olympus. For studio work, my first choice would be my 55mm Vivitar.

Manufacture Olympus
Made in Japan
Year Released 19??
Original Price $194.50*
Elements Groups 5 ele. 4 gr.
Focal Length 50mm
Aperture f/3.5-22
# Aperture Blades 6
Aperture control Manual, Auto Diaphragm
Focus Type Manual
Hard Infinity Stop Yes
Magnification 1:2, 1:1 w/ extension tube
Minimum Focus Distance 22.9cm (9”) /
Working Distance 6.7cm (2-5/8")
Filter Threads 49mm
Weight 220g (7.8oz)
Dimensions ⌀62mm x 61mm (2.4" x 2.4")

Note: Price was taken from a 1977-78 Sears Camera and Photographic Supplies Catalog.

Auto 25mm extension tube. This is required for the lens to be able to achieve 1:1 magnification.

Name Plate Nose Color Serial No. Range
1. Zuiko Auto-Macro 50mm f/3.5 Silver 101xxx - 121xxx
2. Zuiko Auto-Macro 50mm f/3.5 Black 127xxx
3. Zuiko MC Auto-Macro 50mm f/3.5 Black 131xxx - 202xxx
4. Zuiko Auto-Macro 50mm f/3.5 Black 203xxx - 263xxx

AlanWood.net - Detailed information on matching serial numbers to lens versions.